The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is calling on the Government of Canada to take all necessary steps to ensure Marine Atlantic continues to be fully recognized and supported as an essential service for Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Honourable Tony Wakeham, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, has written to the federal Minister of Transport to express urgent and significant concern regarding an application before the Canada Industrial Relations Board that seeks to reconsider Marine Atlantic’s essential service designation. The application includes proposals that could suspend the Argentia route and significantly reduce crossings on the Port aux Basques route in the event of a strike or lockout.

Marine Atlantic is more than a ferry service. It is a critical supply chain and transportation link for Newfoundland and Labrador, and the primary means of moving essential goods, supplies and people between the island and mainland Canada.

Any reduction in service would carry serious consequences for residents, businesses and communities across the province. Food security, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, retail goods, construction materials, tourism traffic, seafood exports and other key sectors all depend on reliable ferry access.

The Premier’s letter makes clear that maintaining reliability in this supply chain is not simply an economic issue, it is a matter of public necessity. Disruptions would disproportionately affect vulnerable residents, rural and remote communities, tourism operators, harvesters, fish plant workers, transporters, retailers and families across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Since 2004, the Canada Industrial Relations Board has recognized Marine Atlantic ferry service as essential to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, a determination reaffirmed in 2008. The Provincial Government’s position is that this recognition must be maintained.

The Premier has also copied senior federal and provincial ministers, including those responsible for finance, industry, labour, jobs, fisheries, health, tourism, transportation and rural development, reflecting the broad impact this issue has across the province.

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“We respect the collective bargaining process, but we cannot accept any outcome that puts Newfoundland and Labrador’s supply chain, public health and safety, food security, tourism season, fishery exports or economic stability at risk. Marine Atlantic is a lifeline for our province, and our government will continue pressing the Government of Canada to ensure this service remains fully recognized, fully supported and protected as essential to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Tony Wakeham
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

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